Based just outside Midleton in Co Cork, the Mogeely herd was first recognised for its contribution to the Friesian breed but in more recent years has obtained unrivalled success in the Angus ring.

Albert De Cogan, assisted by his wife Jennifer, first started breeding Angus cattle back in 1984. Before that the herd was a recognised name in the Friesian show circuit.

“My father Edward would’ve always had Friesians and I would’ve being well used to showing them at the time. I was addicted to showing from day one. Then we started our Angus herd in 1984. We were always looking at Angus but never did it so that year we just gave in and bought two heifers.

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“One came from Kilkelly, and they’re the Lady Hazels today and the other was from Drummulian and they’re the prides here now. Those two animals were shown as mature animals in later years at the RDS and they were second on two separate occasions,” Albert says.

While there were always small numbers of Angus around running alongside the dairy herd it wasn’t until 2006 when the breed really started to shine.

“We had dairy up until 2006 – we were milking about 85 at the time before we dispersed them. Up until that we had about 15 Angus cows. Now we’re calving about 70. The 15 we had would’ve been built up from the original two while following the dispersal we started to buy in again. We bought two off of Cathal Duignan’s Laheens herd, we bought the Jody’s (Duncanziemere Jody). They came from various places, you know.”

While the duo believe strongly in female lines, they have more trust in the power of the stock bull.

“Everyone goes on about family line, and yes it massively important but I still believe unless you have a good bull you still won’t have anything no matter how good the cow is.”

This philosophy has led the pair to buying only the best of bulls available. And with that has come a string of success both at breeding level and the shows.

Even before going fully into the Angus breed, the DeCogans were using the best of bulls on the Friesian herd as well as the select Angus females they had at the time.

“We bought a bull in from Scotland way back in 1986, Eljap of Eastfield. After that we had a very good bull from the late Mary Smith’s Cahirmee herd.

“First bull we bought that won an all-Ireland was Glendara Walnut. He was a nice correct bull but wouldn’t have been big.”

This was going to be the first of many all-Irelands for Albert and Jennifer – in the years following Walnut’s win, they secured it a massive six more times.

“Walnut won the all-Ireland in Mohill and he won the following year then in Bantry, so two years in a row. Deveron Jasper Eric won in Tinahely, and he won the Beef Expo the same year. Rosemead Karona won three in row then and Wedderlie Blackbox the following year.”

As previously mentioned, the two are “addicted” to showing and it’s this reason both the prefix and surname is so widely known across the country. This year, Mogeely stock claimed the champion and reserve in the senior Angus section at Tullamore, junior champion at the all-Ireland and male champion at the Angus calf show.

This success doesn’t happen overnight or by chance – careful selection of the right breeding stock is key. So what exactly does Albert look for?

“I wouldn’t like to see the breed getting any bigger, back a peg slightly maybe. There’s no point going too small either; ration is too dear for rabbits. Easy fleshing, easy calving and docility is very important. Hind leg is the one we have to watch, there’s no point having a Rolls Royce outside if it’s punctured. You need a good head as well.”

Consistently choosing for these characteristics has led to a uniform herd. Similar to most breeders, however, there are some favourites.

“As a group, the Miylos would be the best family line. The original was bought at a sale after the calf show held in Mullingar from John McEnroe’s Liss herd. She bred this year’s show cow Mogeely Miylo, a good share of bulls and a number of the best-producing females.

“The best bull we had to breed daughters that breed was Mosston Muir Lord Ringo. He was before Rosemead Karona and there’s about 11 daughters of him in the herd and they’d have the top calves every year. He was never shown or anything like that, but he bred.”

There has been strong sales demand for the herd, given its showing success. This has come from both AI centres, pedigree breeders and overseas buyers.

“We have Mogeely Joe in AI and a newer bull, Evitas, in the Gene Ireland programme. Our stock bulls Rosemead Karona and Glendara Walnut would’ve been collected as well.

“We sell most stock at home, a lot of repeat business and pedigree men. We’re getting a lot of overseas interest in both males and females of late [and have] sold stock to Germany and Spain, Romania, Portugal, Azores.”

Similar to most pedigree breeders, Albert has an opinion on the ICBF’s star system. Having taken part in every programme they have, he thinks it’s time they stepped up.

“I personally think they’re long enough at it and they haven’t matched up the good cattle with the stars good enough yet. I always gave them a chance because they’re the only show in town but I think it’s time now that they be doing something better with the stars. There’s too much fluctuation. I can’t understand a man going away and buying a bull with five stars and the next tranche of figures his down to three.

“I’m not a figures person really but they’re not encouraging me in any way to become one. We’re doing it because we feel we have to. I supported them till about last April but I think they should be making more headway. “

The DeCogans have had many highlights, from Albert standing as president of the Aberdeen Angus cattle society, to judging at shows throughout the world, but Albert identifies one unforgettable day.

“Biggest highlight I suppose was the three in a row with Rosemead Karona. That had never being done by anyone before or since. We were probably lucky too the last year, but that’s judging – some days it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s just one man’s opinion at the end of the day.”